It drizzled a little, and Huan hesitated at the mouth of the alley. Standing under someone's eaves, she was shrouded in silver rain mist. Her hair, slightly yellowish, was just shoulder-length. Her bangs had grown a little longer, covering her eyelids, making her eyes misty. What should she do? If she went home now, how would she get back to school in the afternoon? The clothes she had changed into yesterday were still unwashed at her apartment... Huan looked down at her shoes and finally gritted her teeth, hoisting her backpack over her head and running towards her home deep in the alley.

Pushing open the rusty door, I immediately heard my stepmother's **loud and terrifying voice** booming through the house, "Drink! Drink! You'll die from drinking eventually. Just wait and see who will..."

"You escort me to the end!"

Xu Huan's heart sank. She lowered her head and walked lightly, trying to sneak back to her room, but she was spotted by Juan's little boy who had sharp eyes. He immediately darted out, blocking her way and said with an air of arrogance, "Xu Huan, are you trying to avoid doing housework and enjoy a quiet life?"

Huàn could only stop his steps, lowering his head and muttering: "Mom, Dad."

Juan glanced at him, and just as effortlessly carried the dishes from the kitchen to the table: "Don't you come help out? You're really a money-losing good-for-nothing."

"I give my family living expenses." He was a little angry, saying that he gives his family one thousand yuan every month, but he doesn't get to eat much of his stepmother's cooking.

Bang! Juan slammed the table.

"

He put down the rice bowl, his eyes widening in disbelief: 'Do you even know how much prices have gone up? Do you know how much a kilogram costs? What about fish? And water bills, electricity bills, gas bills? You come home every day and use hot water to bathe, wash your hair, buy school uniforms – do you even know how much all that costs? I haven't even settled accounts with you properly yet!'

Her brows furrowed even deeper, her face contorted with grievance as she looked at her drunken father. In the end, he still took a step back: "I didn't eat that much, and I was very careful with the water..."

"Province? Don't laugh, Xu Huan. I've been married here for eight years. Do you think I don't know how much the dowry money is? I'm not going to beat around the bush today..." Juan pulled over a chair beside her and sat down.

Here, Ximi Yang dressed up in fine clothes and walked out of the room with a glance at Huan. "You've angered Mom again? You're really such a nuisance!"

"You're graduating next year, you're not young anymore. People in the neighborhood are gossiping that you should get married. Your neighbor Wang has set you up with someone – a small electrical equipment factory owner, only in his forties. His wife just passed away, so if you marry him, you'll be the boss's wife! It's a good match – you'd be living a luxurious life with gold and jewels, and could even help your younger sister find a good job and a husband…"

"Since that's the case, why don't you just let Miyang marry him then? I already have a boyfriend." Huan immediately became angry upon hearing this.

Offered at a great price!

"How old is Mian Yang? How can Mian Yang possibly be our bride?" Juan immediately jumped up like a startled child, pointing at Huan's nose and scolding!

"Xu Huan, what right do you have to speak to me like that? Are you suggesting I marry a balding small boss? You're so wicked!" Xu Miyang angrily pointed at him and loudly followed along with Juan.

"Mi Yang can't be a second wife, why do I have to be one? Mi Yang shouldn't marry a bald old man, why do I have to?" Huan glared back with defiance, her face flushed red with anger, her hands clenched tightly into fists. She refused! And what about Jia Ming!

(The End)

(Editor in charge:the apothecary diaries light novel)